#i know that we artists naturally despise ai but that shouldn't mean imposing our values on others rather than educating

[comikadraws]

Spotting AI Art

Okay, so in response to popular demand (one person) here's an example of me recognizing AI art.

First things first. Spotting AI is tricky and arguably easier for artists and anybody who regularly looks at art online. There are no fool-proof methods or rules for spotting AI, only indicators. And if the indicators add up, well, you might be dealing with machine-generated images.

First indicator: Rendering quality

"Rendering style" = The style of the linework, coloring, and shading, basically.

"Rendering quality" = How well the targeted rendering style was achieved. NOT something along the lines of "more complex rendering style = higher rendering quality". A semi-realistic painting and an anime screenshot can both have top-notch rendering quality while one is more difficult to achieve than the other.

Yes, unfortunately, that is an indicator. AI copies professional artists, not amateurs, hence it also copies primarily very aesthetically pleasing or professionally-looking styles. As a rule of thumb, AI art online will, at first glance, look professional rather than amateurish.

In this case, we've got a detailed piece of Sasuke Uchiha with intricate lineart, folds, and creases, and simple coloring. It's a sort of minimalist style but very well executed. In other words, the rendering quality is high and it might be worth taking a closer look.

Second indicator: Rendering style

There are some styles particularly known for getting fed to AI, including Studio Ghibli's as well as a certain brand of semi-realism. Here, neither of which is the case but there's something else I have personally come to associate with AI.

It's unnecessary or nonsensical details. I won't lie, those lines look pretty, but they just don't make sense. It's just random wiggly lines that are neither hatching nor actual folds or creases that don't make much sense in terms of shape or direction.

Third Indicator: Anatomy

Broken, fingers and toes, missing nails. Whatever other crap the AI decides to come up with. This doesn't need much of an explanation.

Also, misdirected folds and creases and objects that are clipping through one another.

All three of these mistakes happen because AI doesn't understand the anatomy of objects or basic logic (ie. objects don't randomly go through clothing).

Special indicator: Character design consistency

This one is very fanart-specific, as it relies on the existence of a well-established character design that has been put through alterations by the AI.

In Sasuke's case, the hilt of his Kusanagi doesn't match, he is wearing chain mail all of a sudden, his right sandal is closed on the top, the fabric around his hips has weird patterns that are not present in the actual design, the tie doesn't match its canon counterpart and the sword sheath is in Sasuke's front.

These are design details that could have been altered intentionally. However, in combination with all the other indicators, it is unlikely.

Fourth indicator: Pattern inconsistency and vagueness

AI, currently, has trouble with producing consistent patterns.

Here, the zipper on his shirt changes patterns, the wrapping on the sword hilt is completely inconsistent and Sasuke's Sharingan has no visible pattern whatsoever, just weird pixel artifacts.